Essential Oils

Essential oils are produced in the cells of aromatic plants and are held in specialized glands. They are released from the plant and collected (concentrated) most often through steam distillation (and sometimes hydro or water distillation or a combination thereof). Other methods used to create pure essential oils are dry or vacuum distillation, destructive distillation, and expression (for citrus peels). Essential oils are volatile oils (as opposed to fixed [or vegetable] oils) and they do volatize (evaporate) rapidly especially when compared to the fixed or vegetable oils. And although the steam distillation method is the most well known technique for extracting the essential oil from plants, there are several other methods that are used to remove and concentrate the aromatic constituents from plant materials. Here at Eden Botanicals we have embraced these other methods for their ability to capture unique aromas and natural scents as well as the therapeutic quality of plants. .

Absolutes

Absolutes are concentrated aromatic oils extracted from plants. Typically, absolutes are used in perfumery rather than for aromatherapy, because they are extracted using chemical solvents, usually hexane (used to make a concrete) and then ethyl alcohol (to remove the plant waxes and other constituents). This two-step process results in a wonderfully aromatic liquid (although some absolutes are semi-solid) that displays an aroma profile often quite similar to the original plant except more concentrated and potent. As mentioned above, the best use for absolutes is to create natural perfumes. They may be blended with essential oils, CO2 extracts, and other types of extracted aromatic oils in alcohol or in a fixed oil such as Jojoba oil. They can also be used for solid perfumes by combining your aromatic blend in beeswax or a plant wax such as candelilla wax. The difference between an absolutes and a pure essential oil is that the pure essential oil contains only the essential oil portion of the plant, whereas the absolute contains the essential oil from the plant plus more coloring constituents, plant waxes and other constituents from the plant. In addition, an absolute usually contains a small percentage of alcohol remaining from the second phase of the extraction process (typically up to 2 or 3 percent).

CO2 extracts

CO2 extracts display some of the characteristics of both essential oils and absolutes. They are extracted using CO2 (carbon dioxide) gas under pressure at ambient temperatures. Depending on the pressure used, a select or total extract will result. Select means that a lower pressure is used and total means that a higher pressure is used. Select extracts are more similar to essential oils in that they are usually fully mobile liquids and essential oils make up the vast majority of the extract. Total extracts contain more constituents of the plant and are more full-spectrum or more closely resemble the constituents of the whole plant rather than just the essential oil fraction of the plant.

Because of the purity of CO2 extracts and because they display some very favorable characteristics not found in essential oils, CO2 extracts are primarily used by the food, body care, and herbal industries, yet CO2 extracts are also excellent for aromatherapy and natural perfumery. This extraction technique (more accurately called supercritical CO2 extraction) is a relatively new and expensive technology that is more efficient in some ways than steam distillation because the process has the ability to capture a broader spectrum of the plant components, giving a fragrance more true to the original plant material without the use of chemical solvents. Other benefits are that the extraction process happens at lower temperatures than steam distillation and that carbon dioxide is nontoxic, odorless, and is easily removed from the extracted oil at the end of the process.

Organic Extracts

Eden Botanicals also specializes in bringing you some of the finest organic extracts available. Our organic extracts are made using new technology that is similar to the ancient method of extracting an enfleurage from precious flower petals. The extraction process uses only certified organic solvents such as fixed oils and alcohol to coax the aromatic essence out of the plant material. The resulting bio-available essence, extracted without added heat, has captured the marvelous aroma of the original plant material. We are one of a select few in North America who carry the organic extracts made from Rose, Jasmine, Carnation, Tuberose, Vanilla, etc. We think that the best uses of these pure and delightful essences are for body care and aromatherapy due to the ‘aliveness’ of the essences. However, natural perfumers who wish to create organic perfumes will also love these oils. This new technology, for the first time allows Jasmine oil to be used for true aromatherapy purposes, whereas previously it had only been available as an absolute and therefore had not been commended for therapeutic applications.

Other "types" of Essential Oils

We carry a few other types of natural aromatic oils that have been extracted using other processes. These include natural exudates and resins (or resinoids). These aromatic essences are collected from the resin that oozes out of the bark of trees when the trees are tapped (like rubber trees or maple trees [for maple syrup]). We also usually have a traditional attar or two. Indian attars are traditional distillations of flowers or other plant parts into a receiving vessel of Sandalwood oil. The resulting attar is actually a blend of Sandalwood oil and the other distilled plant (which will give the name to the attar). Another type of aromatic oil we offer comes from the traditional destructive distillation method that gives rise to Choya Loban, an oil unique to India and used for its smokey, leathery aroma. In destructive distillation, the starting material (such as Benzoin resin) is super heated and cooked until an oil is obtained from the solid starting material. Thus an oil can be obtained from something that didn’t really have oil in it in the first place. We also offer 10% dilutions which are pure essential oils or absolutes diluted in Fractionated Coconut Oil. Our 10% dilutions are inexpensive ways to experience some of the more rare and precious oils that we offer. They contain 10% of the essential oil or absolute oil and 90% Fractionated Coconut Oil. We use Fractionated Coconut oil due to its extremely long shelf live (longer than Jojoba oil!), its clear and odorless nature, its soft and silky texture and its value to the skin.

Purity and Guarantee

All of our essential oils are pure, natural and undiluted (except for our 10% dilutions). As such, they are quite potent and should be diluted before use. We recommend that you familiarize yourself with the safe use of essential oils and dilute them accordingly. Please respect the power of these highly concentrated botanical extracts and follow the proper guidelines, cautions and dilution rates. Never allow children to play with pure essential oils, keep them away from the eyes and sensitive skin areas, always dilute them prior to use, and use them for external use only for their aromatherapy benefits, natural perfumes, etc.

We search long and hard to bring to you the best of the oils available, and go through an elaborate selection process. We take into consideration the quality of the oil, the various uses, properties and values it holds for your needs, and finally - we make every effort to offer it to you at a fair and affordable price. We import most of our essential oils, absolutes and extracts directly from the distillers in various parts of the world. We have built strong relationships with many of the best distillers around the world, and yet continually seek out new and exciting essential oils to offer. All of our oils are available in sample sizes, so as to enable you to experience and evaluate them prior to purchasing larger quantities. Additionally, all of our products are 100% satisfaction guaranteed.

Please enjoy these wonderful botanicals treasures and have fun sharing your essential oil creations with your friends and loved ones. Creating essential oil blends is one of the most satisfying ways to spend the day! Feel free to contact us if you have any questions or comments.

Happy Blending!

Will Lapaz, Owner

Eden Botanicals

The following tables are listings of the essential oils that Eden Botanicals offers. Please select a table to use, scroll down to view the selections and then click on an oil of interest and you will be transported directly to that oil! We made these tables so that you can view all 200 or so of our essential oils in one place (first table). You may also view our oils by method of extraction (second table). And for those of you searching for a listing of only our certified organic essential oils or wildcrafted essential oils, please use the third table.